Page 34 - Occupational Health & Safety, November 2017

FALL PROTECTION
Fall Protection: Are You Fully Prepared?
Thorough fall protection requires a culture of safety as well as OSHA-certified fall prevention measures. BY PAUL SPERLING
Companies have a constant need to im- prove the safety of employees and the en- vironment they work in. Supervisors and company leaders understand how quickly
accidents can happen in the workplace and how dev- astating their effects can be. As workplaces advance and evolve, fall protection methods must, as well. The advancements made in the fall protection indus- try make life easier, but more importantly, they keep employees safer.
As year-end approaches, it’s a good idea to be one step ahead of the game, looking forward to 2018 and both the proven and new ways you can protect em- ployees from workplace falls and accidents. Work- place safety is essential for an efficient, healthy com- pany. Safety in the workplace requires an educated
workforce, a confident understanding of OSHA regu- lations, and an interest in the latest industry updates. It’s also important that employees feel safe and confi- dent in their workplace.
Why Is Fall Protection a Priority?
Believe it or not, falls are far more common in the workplace than you might realize. OSHA names fall- ing as one of the most common causes of workplace fatalities. The risks are even greater when the fall is to a lower level, which has been named by BLS as the most deadly type of workplace fall. Fall protection and prevention is a vital part of your employees’ safety.
Many employees wrongly assume that their reflex- es will save them from a damaging fall or that their years of experience insulate them from the danger
30 Occupational Health & Safety | NOVEMBER 2017
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